New to fly tying

[nwwanderer]

Might need to think smallmouth on the Spokane

[AL WORRELLS KID]

Might need to think smallmouth on the Spokane

We were fishing in August on the Snake (for Channel Catfish) when the whole river came alive with rising Smallmouth.
 It seems a Hatch of Black Ants was being blown into the river in the heat of the afternoon. I finally found something in my Tackle Box that could be mistaken for what covered the water. We had a blast for a few minutes before it was over, as fast as it had begun. Needless to say I now keep a few Black Ant Flies in my pocket.  .....Oh, and unlike the Deep Water Catfish, the Small mouth Bass (being in the warm surface water of the river)..... tasted like mud. 
Doug

[AL WORRELLS KID]

Here's a Fly that's fun to fish in those clear crystal mountain pools, full of hungry Cutthroat.
This "Skater" is tied on a larger hook (than the recipe calls for) so that the fish won't get off due to the tiny hooks that are usually used.
On a hot summer day this pattern lives up to it's name, skating across the surface, enticing that big one up from the depths to jump right out of the water and take your Fly from above.
This kind of Fly Fishing is really something everyone should experience.
Once you’ve "Skated with this Fly," just dragging a Nymph around might not cut it anymore. 
Doug

[spadebit]

Fly tying is all about controlling your thread and keeping adequate tension.  Buy several different thread materials...some stretch, some dont. 
If I were to start all over again, I'd of tied smaller baitfish patterns to begin with.  It is easier to tie moderate sized "flies" than say a BWO in my opinion.
Youtube is your friend, Some great channels to check out are Flyfishfood, Gunnar Brammer, or Fly fishing the ozarks.

Some marabou, Chenille, and schlappen can make just about every baitfish or crawdad pattern.  Youll want thicker thread with these.  Add some dumbbell eyes and some zap a gap glue and you are golden.
Learn the whip finish  without the tool.
Ive also never had the gamakatsu b10s hooks ever fail me.
Size #1 to #4.
Check out hobby stores for material when you get down the basics...you will save money on certain items.

[Stein]

Pick one pattern and learn it.  Then, pick another that is substantially different and learn it.  Buy what you need as you go.  When I learned, it was from an old book and a single VHS tape that had been copied probably a dozen times and passed around town, I can't imagine how much easier it would be with YouTube.

I grew up in MT and found that I could do excellent with maybe 4-5 patterns max in various sizes and colors.  Realistically, I could reliably catch fish 12 months a year on elk hair caddis and wooly buggers.

It's more of a hobby, if you like packing around 10 fly boxes with every pattern under the sun, go for it.